Farming is very much a family affair with Mike Murphy, his wife Margaret and their son Bryan all involved in the day-to-day running of the business.
The Murphys operate a 135-cow Holstein Friesian herd, split across a 75-acre home farm in Lixnaw and a 52-acre outfarm in Tralee.
The herd follows a 70% autumn- and 30% spring-calving system, which means calf rearing plays a central role on the farm, particularly through the colder winter months.
“I’ve been involved with calves all my life,” Mike explained. “I grew up rearing calves, learned a lot from my parents and it’s something we put a big focus on here because everything starts with the calf.”
Choosing the right milk replacer
With a compact calving system and a strong focus on efficiency, Mike knew he needed a milk replacer that would deliver consistent results while fitting seamlessly into his system.
He said: “I’ve tried plenty of different milk replacers over the years and we also used whole milk in the past.
“What I found with Heiferlac is the consistency it gives you. You know exactly what each calf is getting every day.”
Mike has been using Heiferlac milk replacer for the past 10 years, alongside an Urban automatic calf feeder, and says the combination has transformed calf rearing on the farm.
“Good calf rearing is the most important thing you’ll ever do. If calves aren’t reared correctly, you’re only wasting time and money further down the line,” he said.
Performance and calf health
Each year, the Murphys retain the 35 best heifer calves, with all remaining heifer, bull and beef calves sold. These replacement heifers are introduced to Heiferlac after their first week of life and are fully weaned by around 70 days of age.
Calves are fed six litres per day at 15% solids through the automatic feeder, delivering an intake of approximately 900g of milk powder per calf, per day. Concentrates are offered from the first week of life once calves are programmed on to the feeder, supporting early rumen development and a smooth transition at weaning.
Mike explained: “The growth rates we’re seeing are very strong. Calves are content, thriving and we’ve seen a real reduction in scour since using Heiferlac.”
He also notes that calves show excellent vitality and coat condition throughout the rearing period.
“You can see it in them – they’re bright, healthy and doing well from an early stage. Their liveweights are constantly increasing and they transition on to concentrates very easily.”
Getting calves off milk efficiently is a key target on the farm and Mike says Heiferlac stands out compared with other milk replacers and whole milk.
“Weaning weights are achieved much quicker. Calves progress to eating nuts quicker and are out to grass sooner, which is exactly what you want in any system.”
Support and guidance
Mike also praises the support he receives from Sharon O’Donoghue, his Feed For Growth business manager, which has made a real difference on the farm.
“Sharon has been brilliant from the start. She’s always there to answer any questions about calf rearing and I know I can call her whenever I need advice.”
He recalls one occasion when the automatic calf feeder stopped working: “Sharon stayed on the phone to help sort it out and made sure my calves were fed properly. That kind of support has been invaluable.”
For Mike, having reliable guidance like this gives him confidence that his calves are being well looked after, complementing the consistent performance he gets from Heiferlac.
Ease of use and consistency
Ease of use is another major benefit for Mike, particularly during busy calving periods.
Mike said: “Heiferlac mixes very well and feeds consistently every day. There’s no hassle with it and that consistency makes a big difference to calf performance.”
With labour always under pressure, especially during peak calving, Mike believes having a reliable milk replacer removes a lot of stress from the system.
“When everything is right – the milk replacer, the housing and the feeding routine – calves just thrive. It makes the whole job easier.”
Value for money
While performance is the main driver, Mike also points to the value Heiferlac delivers on the farm.
“It’s value for money. When you look at the growth rates, calf health and how smoothly calves move through the system, the return is there,” he explained.
Mike adds that investing in a quality milk replacer pays dividends long term.
“These heifer calves are the future of the herd. If you get them right from day one, you’re setting the farm up for success.”
A product he would recommend
With years of experience, Mike has no hesitation in recommending his milk powder of choice to other farmers.
“Find a milk replacer that suits your system, but, for us, Heiferlac has proven itself time and time again. The results speak for themselves – strong growth, healthy calves and consistent performance.”
For Mike Murphy, Heiferlac and the support he receives have become a trusted part of calf rearing on the Kerry farm.
“It does exactly what it says. You know calves are getting the nutrition they need to grow and perform and that gives you real peace of mind,” Mike concluded.
For further details, visit https://feedforgrowth.com/ or call 046-921 2950.
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